Softball Rallies For 4-2 Victory Over Wright State at USF Invitational

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3/9/06 -- Back-to-back triples by sophomore Alyssa Winslow and junior Randi Gillespie helped propel the Long Island University softball team to a 4-2, come-from-behind victory over Wright State at the University of South Florida adidas Invitational in Clearwater, Fla. on Thursday afternoon

Trailing 2-1 in the sixth, Winslow belted a triple to center that plated Celina Castillo and knotted the game at 2-2. One batter later, Gillespie found the right-centerfield gap for the Blackbirds second consecutive three-bagger, driving in Winslow for the go-ahead run. A wild pitch by Wright State's Jessie Granger forced in Gillespie and gave LIU a 4-2 lead.

Freshman Jenny Giles (Melbourne, Fla.), who pitched in relief for the first time this season, retired the Raiders in order in the seventh to earn the victory.

Senior Jessica Busick (Milpitas, Calif.) made her first start of the season for LIU and threw four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out a pair.

In the top of the third, Wright State threatened to take the early lead. A hit-by-pitch, fielder's choice and single by Brandi Steiner loaded the bases. Busick got designated hitter Amanda Cody to ground into a fielder's choice, ending the threat.

LIU struck first in the bottom half of the frame, as a three-base hit by Alissa Villanueva (Pacoima, Calif.) led off the inning. Castillo singled to center, driving in Villanueva and giving the Blackbirds the 1-0 edge.

The Raiders fought back in the sixth , as an error and two passed balls on LIU allowed two unearned runs to score and led to the final sequence.

Castillo ended with two hits, a run and an RBI for the Blackbirds.

The softball team will look to extend its winning streak to three on Friday, Mar. 10 as they face Michigan State at 1:00 p.m., followed by a meeting with Georgia Tech at 4:00 p.m.